Eskom has confirmed that planned load reduction will continue across multiple areas in Gauteng this week, with residents and businesses advised to brace for scheduled power outages during peak demand periods.
The measure is part of Eskom’s ongoing effort to manage grid stability in high-density areas where network overloading is common, especially during peak morning and evening hours.
Load Reduction Schedule and Duration
Power cuts may last up to four hours in some locations and as long as five hours in others, depending on the area.
The outages follow a seven-day rotating schedule, giving affected communities a degree of predictability to plan ahead.
- Morning load reduction (05:00 – 09:00) will affect areas such as:
- Tsakane
- Rietvlei
- Moroka
- Kliepsruit
- Chiawelo
- Evening load reduction (05:00 – 09:00) is expected to impact:
- Garankuwa
- Mavimbela
- Zuma
- Nhlapo
- Sharpeville
- Stredford
- Doornkraal
- Sebokeng
- Evaton Central
- Various extensions in surrounding regions
Other affected areas during the week include Cosmo City, Protea North, and Magagula Heights, among several informal settlements and suburbs.
Why Load Reduction Happens
Unlike standard load shedding, load reduction specifically targets areas where illegal connections, network overloading, and infrastructure strain are most prevalent.
Eskom states that reducing electricity supply during peak hours helps prevent equipment failure, fires, and widespread blackouts in these high-risk zones.
“Load reduction is necessary to protect the network from collapse due to overloading,” Eskom said in a statement.
“We urge residents to switch off non-essential appliances and report illegal connections.”
How to Stay Informed
Residents are encouraged to:
- Check the Eskom website or local municipal platforms for area-specific schedules
- Follow Eskom on social media for real-time updates
- Prepare in advance by charging devices, keeping torches and batteries handy, and planning meals around outage times
For emergencies or to report illegal connections, contact Eskom’s Crime Line at 0800 112 722.
As Gauteng continues to grapple with energy challenges, Eskom has urged communities to use electricity wisely and cooperate with scheduled reductions to avoid damage to infrastructure and reduce downtime.
To see if your area is affected, see below:
